1 Billion Strong: Android Breaks Records in 2014

Research consultancy Strategy Analytics shows just how big the mobile operating system now is.

In less than a decade, Android has pivoted from a scrappy startup of an OS ecosystem to a global behemoth with over a billion devices activated.

A new report from consultancy Strategy Analytics says that Android broke the 1 billion device barrier in 2014, up from 780 million in 2013. In comparison, Apple (NASDAQ:APPL) only shipped 192.7 million iOS based devices worldwide in 2014.

Breaking down the numbers from Strategy Analytics, it becomes clear that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has the advantage because it ships on more devices at more price points. As such, Google can depend on emerging markets for growth — something that Strategy Analytics points out in its report.

“Emerging markets, such as China and Indonesia, drove the industry’s growth last year and will continue to do so through 2015,” the report said.

In the shadow of the virtual Apple-Android duopoly in the market is Windows Phone, with a mere 3.3% market share. Strategy Analytics believes that the failure for the platform to grow comes from the lack of robust hardware partners that are aligned with the OS.

About the AuthorSam Reynolds

Canadian journalist in Taipei. Formerly of China Economic Review (Shanghai), VR-Zone (Taipei) and Hardware Canucks. Freelanced here and there for publications like The Georgia Straight (Vancouver) and TechVibes (Vancouver).